Volvo S40 vs Volvo Xc 90 d5 se awd semi-auto: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Volvo S40
70%
MOT pass rate · 104,637 vehicles
More reliable
Volvo Xc 90 d5 se awd semi-auto
61%
MOT pass rate · 341 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Volvo S40 is the more reliable of the two — 70% pass first time versus 61%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Volvo S40 | Volvo Xc 90 d5 se awd semi-auto |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 70% ✓ | 61% |
| MOT failure rate | 30% ✓ | 39% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.1 | 0.0 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 1% | — ✓ |
| Average mileage | 123,409 mi | 179,864 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 104,637 | 341 |
Most common faults
Volvo S40
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
Volvo Xc 90 d5 se awd semi-auto
No fault breakdown available.
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Volvo S40 is the more reliable of the two — 70% pass first time versus 61%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Volvo S40 report Full Volvo Xc 90 d5 se awd semi-auto report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.